Life of fashion, culture and adventure

http://newsone.com/world/newsonestaff2/second-earthquake-japan-tsunami/ Last Friday, March 11, was very depressing... Japan hit by a super quake with a recorded magnitude of 8.9  ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKh-QaeT6rc ), which in turn resulted Japan to issue a Tsunami alert. And indeed, in about 30 minutes after the quake, big waves engulfed some portions of Japan, specially Sendai. The water traveled so fast and so vast that the cars, buildings, houses and boats seemed like toys being drifted away by a flowing water from the faucet. I was worried watching the news at ANC ( http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/ancliveevents ) while in the office. Made me more worried when they issued alert level 2 for some areas in the Philippines which included Davao City ( http://davaocitynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/map-of-philippine-provinces-affected-by.html ). After the major quake, countless of aftershocks were also experienced by the residents of Japan, and to add worry to the...

  Me and Labsy are doing a little renovating at home, so there were things thrown and things discovered back. A few evenings ago, I was arranging some things and saw this old post card. There's a note at the back and it just made me smile... It came from a friend in college while he was taking a vacation in Australia on a summer some time ago. We have been friends for a long time now and we both treasure this friendship along with the rest of the members of the group. After college, we all went on separate ways. But still kept each other close enough to get in touch once in a while. We even have this funny sort-of-unsealed-pact that we would all get married on the same church but the reception venues should be different. And so far, we, six of us did get married on the same church, with six (6) different reception venues. Well, except Ferdie, since he isn't married yet and Dean, since she got married in the US. Not all of us stayed in Davao, even the sender of this post car...

A few months back, Cebu Pacific Airlines ( http://www.cebupacificair.com /) and AirPhil Express ( http://www.airphilexpress.com/ ) gave out seat sales again. Well, Labsy's friends/officemates wanted to join us on one of our adventures outside of Davao City, Philippines. So, we booked us (me and labsy) via Airphil Express and Labsy's officemates Hilda with sister Judith, Hanie with daughter Eryn, and Alden with GF Em-em via Cebu Pacific Air. Months passed and the excitement grew more and more every day. Tensions and financial preparation became a priority. Until finally, the moment came. But before it happened, two from the group decided not to join the adventure, Hanie and her daughter, Eryn. Hence, despite the bad news, on the night of last Oct 22 (2010), we flew from Davao City to Metro Manila in two separate airlines and met up at the nearest Mc Donalds from the NAIA Terminal 3, about an hour before midnight. After a little rest, the group of six (6) went to the Victory ...

It's June 30, 2010. President Noynoy of the Philippines Inauguration Day. It's also my officemate/friend/kuya Jerry's advance birthday celebration (his birthday is tomorrow). Not just any birthday celebration, we went out of town, off to the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte. And not just any part of Samal Island, we went off-peak, out to the mini-Island of Malipano with a perfect place, a perfect beach and a perfect group of friends hangin' out... The trip started from the bus going to Samal, into the ferry, and stepped out in Peñaplata, Samal (bus cost us Php 20.00/pax from Sasa). From there, Kuya Jer requested a multi-cab to take us to the pier going to the Island. The Bus from Sasa, Davao to Babak, Samal (ferry) is just 'bout 10 minutes, but the trip from the ferry to Peñaplata was about 30. Then the multi-cab trip which if I may add, took the route in a cliff (scary), took about 45 minutes. Whew! It was fun for me though some of us were to...

Yesterday, a Sunday, was scheduled for a follow through Lawn Tennis rally with Labsy and a couple of friends (well, not couple, couple.., you know what I mean by that. :D). And so we did! We woke up early yesterday and went out for a good morning sports activity.. We both enjoyed our games... Me and Labsy's colleague, "Jun" won against Labsy and his other colleague "Kuya Boy", a 7-3-set run... It was so much fun and I really love the exercise. Then we went home, took some rests, had our lunch. But then, Mom requested to go swimming, and I said, "why not and where?". She mentioned Forest Hill so we can visit Lyn, one of my close friends way back high school, since she lives around the area... So we went, had a good time with the pool waters and the family.. We took a quick turn at my friend's place but left right before dinner, since mom said we'll have dinner at "Bulcachong"... Hmmm... the sound of it, makes me hungry again... So we...

A fter a whole day of paper works, technical problem solving and technologically challenge concerns, I'd like to lie on a bed of water and let all the tiredness float away... Having that super embossed in my head, a good night swim would be just perfect... So, me and hubby went straight to Grand Regal Hotel (Lanang, Davao City, Philippines), and enrolled myself for a month membership on their fitness center. That's Php 1,220.00, free use of their gym, join their nightly one-hour aerobics schedule and pool use from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm. The one thing I like about it, is that you may bring two (2) guests who may use the pool, for free... So after dealing with the forms and the payment, we both head to the rest room, get dressed and had a good night swim... But it did not end there, hubby saw the menu and was drastically tempted with the white sauce picture posted on it.. So he ordered a pasta alla carbonara, and we both enjoyed it so d*** much! But of course, most importantly, I h...

First sport I learned from Papo was bowling. He used to take us (me and bros) to his tournaments to watch him play, win and have fun with his officemates. Sometimes he would let us throw his first or second ball when he wanted to prove he can hit all the pins in one spin. Well, he didn't always get a strike but he sure was one of the best and loud players in their group. :D Now that I've grown up, I've had a fair chance of playing on tournaments in my workplace, as well as Labsy and the whole family still sneak out every chance to play bowling and have fun... Last Saturday, Labsy had a ten pin tournament. Well, their group did not finish champion and his not one of the best players. But Monday morning (earlier today) came, which was the awarding, he was surprised when his name was called, he won the highest pinning! It's an award for the player who got the highest score but without any strike or spare in all frames... That was one award he never expected. And what I lik...

Last night me, labsy and mamo decided to take dinner some place else. I remembered, I have an unused Krua Thai Resto card, so we head on. It's located in between BOSS Coffee and Metro Lifestyle Fitness Gym. When we arrived, the parking space we occupied was right in front of Boss Coffee. When mom went out of the truck, she said, "that's a coffee shop", pointing towards Boss. I then said, "no, not there, there..." pointing to Krua Thai, but then her gaze went past it and said, "that's a gym!", she's kind of hungry thus the worry of not being in a place where meal food is served... :D So I started laughing, and said, "no, not that one, that one.." pointing at Krua Thai and somehow, waited for her to see where I'm really pointing at. And then she blurted out, "KAMATAY!"... (Die!) And there were no other sound came out of my mouth but a hard laugh... She thought, "ru" for "m", so it read "kma t...

It's May 31, declared to be the "World No Tabacco Day"... But I felt sad when I saw this video... They're just babies... Well, I'm just glad that in Davao City Philippines, we have the anti-smoking ordinance, that prohibits smoking on public places... And here it is below... 13th City Council 30th Regular Session Series of 2002 Republika ng Pilipinas LUNGSOD NG DABAW Tanggapan ng Sannguniang Panlungsod PRESENT:Councilor Emmanuel D. Galicia, Sr. Councilor Luis C. Bomguyan, Presiding Officer Councilor Nilo G. Abellera Councilor Ma. Belen S. Acosta Councilor Victorio S. Advincula Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag Councilor Alexis C. Almendras Councilor Leonardo R. Avila, III Councilor Gerald B. Bangoy Councilor Salvador V. Caingles Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang Councilor Shane L. Dolor Councilor Jimmy G. Dureza Councilor Frances Mabel A. Laman Councilor Angela A. Librado Councilor Liborio V. Lumain Councilor Disdado Angelo A. Mahipus, Sr. Councilor Teresita Mata-Marañon...

In Davao Philippines, we were blessed with nice beaches, great resorts and different venues of the beauty of nature... Our current location in Davao City, gave us much chances and opportunities to explore the wonders of nature. But, we've never had enough... So off, set to go out of town and seek the beauty of Mati, Davao Oriental, Philippines for an exciting Island Hopping on the 23rd day of May 2010... Journey started at 1:30AM, then blank, (I slept all the way...zzzzz...). We arrived in Dahican Beach. Nice beach, beautiful place... Stayed there 'til breakfast, then off to Masaw to hop on the boat waiting for us to start our Island Hopping experience... First stop, Waniban Island... I was in awe as I stepped on the grain of sands and saw my foot prints and the wonderful beach that awaits us... And I thought I saw the best, but the nature told me, "not just yet"... Me and the rest of the group, went back on the boat and waited with excitement on the next Island to vi...

One of the family's favorite resorts in Samal, Davao del Norte, Philippines is the Bluewaters Resort (http://www.ebluwaters.com/). But every time we visit it, we were curious with the resort nested right next to it, the Chema's by the Sea Resort. It doesn't have a website, so we don't have much idea what the resort looks like and how'd it feel to be there... We searched on some blogs and red a few reviews, and somehow, decided to give it a try... Before going: After contacting the owner through the cellphone number we got from someone's blog site, we made reservations for 7 people... Actually 8, but we didn't count my 2-year old niece... And take note that you cannot bring food to the resorts, except chips... Getting there: In getting t here, you have to go to the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao (http://www.waterfronthotels.com.ph/davao/index.html), pass through it's lobby, leave the car in their parking area of course (;D), and then go straight towards t...

Aliwagwag Falls Who says, adventure needs to be so far away from home... Maybe the same person who said "an ostensible was designed with green mold"... whatever that meant... :D Anyway, so I'm into adventure and hubby isn't much, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't drag him into it... Well, I'll have to know if he'd find it in himself that it's sooo much fun!!! Tagolinao Falls So we joined a group of adventure and photography enthusiasts for a Waterfalls Hopping in Cateel, Davao Oriental, Philippines on April 25, 2010... I was so excited yet a bit anxious that hubby might not be up to it when we get there... But we went through anyway.... The trip costs Php1,600 per participant, which includes transportation, breakfast and lunch, which took my breath away, by the way.... Assembly time was 1:00AM and the trip ended around 10:00PM on the same day... The group departed at 1:30AM, it was a five-hour trip, so we arrived on our first destina...